XPS 8950 vs XPS 8930

I don't know about the XPS 8950, but I assume that it follows the trend started on the XPS 8940!

On the XPS 8930, Dell used a Proprietary PSU Size/Format, therefore it was "relatively" easy to upgrade or simply get replacements, on the XPS 8940 they change to a Proprietary Dell Size/Format making virtually impossible to change it!

Better RAM and Better processor on 8950, you can still get Windows 10 Pro on the 8950, I do not understand why there are still USB 2.0 on these PCs though

QUOTE:- "On the XPS 8930, Dell used a Proprietary PSU Size/Format" UNQUOTE

Apologies, that should have read:- "On the XPS 8930, Dell used a Standard PSU Size/Format"!!

8930 was the last XPS mobo to resemble microATX and use conventional 24/4 pin ATX.  8940 is odd in the sense of non standard mobo form factor and Dell proprietary neither ATX nor ATX12VO: a 6 pin for mobo.  8950 finally adopts standard 10 pin ATX12VO for better efficiency.  Dell could have made 8950 back to mATX but no Dell wants to make sure you cannot upgrade mobo in 8950 case.  Next time you want a better model, got to buy a whole new 8960 (and the 8950 will go to ewaste).

For Dell gamer who does not want to buy Alienware, XPS has always been a multi-purpose line for workstation and occasional gaming PC.  8950 introduced Dell native liquid cooling, something 8930/8940 should have done but not.  so here is kudos to Dell for making it happen.  Sorry do not know much of thunderbolt or USB C.  to some this is important, to others not so much.  I guess it is hard to make everyone happy.  what I look at most important factors are chassis design, motherboard key high tech such as newest socket for cpu and more M.2 slots for ssd as well as RTX 3090 with native psu support.  The last of which is both good and bad.  Dell proprietary psu goes higher than the max 500w in 8940 now, which is good.  But the nonstandard form factor of Dell forces users to buy Dell oem psu only.  on the other hand, the conventional bulky ATX psu form factor in 8930 ought to disappear for good to render more chassis space and be more compact and efficient.  I wish Dell could use standard SFX form factor psu.  Lastly XPS 8950 chassis exterior is just as boring as ever.  When would XPS ever regain the X window in 720/730, a chassis, and anodized paint?  Dell could have done that like it did in 2008 and charged 4k-5k per pc for high end option.  But no Dell wants mass consumer purchase of an affordable XPS model now.  It figures it could make a much better profit.  After 730X XPS has stepped down from the throne of desktop king.

I like the 8950 because it has a better processor and chipset and I am really hoping that the liquid cooler works at least ok. If it does work ok, then there is no need to have to add extra fans and a different cooler. Not having to immediately change parts on a brand new PC is huge for me as I am not very good with computers. If you are happy with your current PC that is great. However, I am in desperate need of a newer, better machine and there are probably others like me that just simply cannot hold off on upgrading.

@Dave2020  Where does it officially say "Warranty is void if you add hardware that is not certified by or sourced by DELL"?

They can tell you to remove all after-market hardware and reinstall the OEM hardware before you can get warranty service, but this applies to all PCs models.

I've never seen anything about the warranty being voided if you install non-Dell parts either. I don't think that is true. Of course, if it is still under warranty and you need to send it back, there is the risk they reinstall the older stock parts. 

In terms of some of the other points raised above:

• One would think usb2 is obsolete, but there are still devices that don't play well with usb3, such as x-rite screen calibrators. Bizarre, but true, and well documented, and it cost me hours sorting it out one day! 
• The fan noise, with liquid cooling is not loud, but it is noticeable. The machine is not dead quiet. I'm fine with it in my study, but would never install it into a media entertainment room, although it might be in the same noise category as an Xfinity set top box.  I did find that swapping the second HD for an SDD helped reduce the background noise a bit. 
• I don't care about the non-standard motherboard or power supply, but I also am not primarily someone who builds their own systems. I buy desktops and upgrade such things as graphics cards, memory, hard drives, and wifi, but if it is time to consider a mobo swap, due to chip generations changing, I'd probably buy a new PC. My predominate use case, however, is photo and video editing. I'm not chasing the latest and greatest games! 
• I love the idea of having a separate hard drive for data. It makes upgrading machines much easier. 
• I think the lack of Blu-ray option is a covid related supplies hold up issue. I had ordered an earlier model of dell a number of months ago, and it got held up solely because of that issue. I ended up cancelling and waiting for this newer generation.